Gardner takes Moto2 title as Fernandez wins Valencia Grand Prix
14/11/2021Gardner finish in 10th position and he achieves his first World Championship title, whilst Fernandez claims his eighth victory of the season.
The Red Bull KTM Ajo finished an excellent season with a race victory and the Moto2 title at the Valencia Grand Prix. Remy Gardner rode an intelligent contest to place tenth, becoming the new Moto2 World Champion. Raul Fernandez broke the record for most wins for a rookie with his eighth triumph of the 2021 campaign.
Remy Gardner remained calm after the race was stopped because of the red flag that forced the Australian rider to return to the box. In the second start, the Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto2 talent took off cleanly from the third row, placing him ninth at Turn 1. Finally, Gardner clinched the Moto2 World Championship with a measured performance at the Ricardo Tormo Circuit today, prioritising avoiding unnecessary risks and crossing the line in tenth position.
Fernandez, who started fifth on the grid, passed two riders to make his way into the podium positions, before a first lap crash caused a red flag and shortened the race to 16 laps. After the restart, he remained in second place, waiting for the right moment to overtake, and did so with four laps to go. With this result, the Red Bull KTM Ajo talent becomes the rookie with the most victories in Moto2 history, surpassing the record set by Marc Marquez in 2011.
Red Bull KTM Ajo’s 2021 comes to an end with Gardner as Moto2 World Champion, with 311 points. Fernandez concludes the year in second, with 307. They will now both move up to MotoGP for 2022, as part of the KTM GP Academy program.
Results (Moto2 Race)
1. Raul Fernandez (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 25:38.612
2. Fabio Di Giannantonio (Kalex) +0.517
3. Augusto Fernandez (Kalex) +0.786
4. Celestino Vietti (Kalex) +2.393
5. Aron Canet (Boscoscuro) +4.978
10. Remy Gardner (Red Bull KTM Ajo) +9.112
Moto2 World Championship Standing 2021
1. Remy Gardner (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 311 points
2. Raul Fernandez (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 307 points
3. Marco Bezzecchi (Kalex) 214 points
4. Sam Lowes (Kalex) 190 points
5. Augusto Fernandez (Kalex) 174 points
Moto2 World Championship Team Standing 2021
1. Red Bull KTM Ajo 618 points
2. Elf Marc VDS Racing Team 364 points
3. Sky Racing Team VR46 303 points
4. Inde Aspar Team 192 points
5. Federal Oil Gresini Moto2 173 points
AKI AJO – TEAM MANAGER
“There are no words to describe our year in Moto2. It has been an incredible year, one of those that only happens once in a lifetime. I can’t thank the staff, the sponsors and the team enough for letting us be able to work with such talented people. No one can be disappointed in today’s season and race. Both riders have improved a lot. Gardner has had an incredible campaign – after some difficult previous years – and is now the champion. Raul had a sensational year as a rookie, breaking many records and winning many races. I am very grateful for the team having achieved both titles with a great amount of points.”
87 REMY GARDNER
“It was a tough contest mentally. I tried not to make mistakes and to ride as cleanly as possible. It was the most difficult race of my life, especially on the last 5 laps, where I didn’t want to think too much about the championship and just wanted to enjoy myself. I still can’t believe it happened. It has been a spectacular and very beautiful season, for me and for the fans. Raul [Fernandez] and I have been one step ahead of the rest, and you just have to see the number of times we have both been on the podium. He didn’t make it easy for me and he fought very hard until the end; achieving so many victories as a rookie is incredible. My experience has helped me and perseverance has been key to becoming champion.”
25 RAUL FERNANDEZ
“I tried everything. I only have words of thanks for the team, as we have worked like never before. In the end, we were only four points away from winning the title; we were very close. Although winning the title was a difficult task for us, I tried until the end and I gave my all. I’m very happy for Remy Gardner and the team, who have worked hard. Our season has also been incredible. I have to thank my team, my family and all the people who have come to Valencia today. We’re going to have a great time now, and then it’s time to switch off.”